Page 41 of The Banker's Bride

“I do.” Mrs. Daly smiled, obviously pleased. “Now, go and lie down.”

Megan’s lips curled into a smile. “Thank you, Mrs. Daly.” Megan started to leave, but then turned toward the older woman. “Thank you… for everything.”

Mrs. Daly shrugged. “It’s my job, miss.” But Megan knew it was much more than that. Mrs. Daly was the type of woman who liked taking care of people… whether it was her job or not.

Megan headed up the long staircase and flopped onto the bed as soon as she reached the bedroom. Normally, she wouldn’thave been so tired. When she was working at the factory, she would work sometimes sixteen hours a day and never felt like this. But she knew it was probably just fatigue from the party the night before.

As she lay on the bed, thoughts of Dallas ran through her mind and her heart fluttered. He was smart, kind, generous… no, she couldn’t allow herself to love him. After all, she’d lost everyone she’d ever loved. She turned over and tucked her hands under her head. No, she couldn’t allow herself to fall in love with Dallas King. She had to remind herself that he could be jealous and unsure of himself, even though most of the time he exuded confidence. She couldn’t allow herself to love him, could she?

“Mrs. King.”

Someone gently shook her shoulder.

“Mrs. King, yer bath is ready.” Yes, it was Mrs. Daly, Megan realized as she slowly regained consciousness. “Ye want to be ready when Mr. King arrives, don’ ye?”

Realizing she heard a voice in the distance, Megan sat up with a start, her eyes wide. She had fallen asleep. “Oh, my goodness! Is Mr. King here yet?”

Mrs. Daly shook her head, a smile fondly lighting her lips. “No, not yet.”

Megan nodded. “Well, I think I’ll go into town and surprise him. Maybe I’ll stop by and say hello to Kenzie Baker, too.”

“Are ye sure ye wouldn’t rather wait here for him?” Mrs. Daly arched an eyebrow.

Megan shook her head. “No, it’ll do me some good to get out, and maybe I can talk Dallas into going to the restaurant tonight.” Megan was already excited at the possibility as she jumped out of bed and started gathering her things.

“Very well, then. I’ll have Jake drive ye.” Mrs. Daly followed as Megan rushed out. At the bottom of the stairs, she hurried to the bathroom.

Megan hurried to bathe and dress, eager to surprise Dallas. She just hoped he didn’t mind.

Chapter 9

Dallas

Earlier that morning, Dallas had gone to work at the bank, even though it was Saturday. Charles had tried to get him to take the day off, but Dallas was in a hurry to get back to work. He hadn’t been to work in a few days while preparing for the party, and Megan would want to go to church the next day, Sunday.

Although he trusted his staff to run things, he couldn’t be away from the bank that long. Dallas needed to check on the safe and the money and go over the ledger to make sure everything was in order. Although he trusted Russell and Alonzo, he just couldn’t leave the welfare of the business to chance, especially not after being robbed just a few months before. The last member of the Yates Gang, the man in the black cowboy hat, had gotten away with a bundle and it had cost Dallas dearly. He had no intention of losing any more.

But throughout the day, Dallas found he missed Megan. He missed her smile, her laughter, her humor, her kindness, her strength. Yes, she was beautiful, but what he loved about her themost was her heart. Beauty was only superficial, after all, and would one day fade. No, he’d rather have a woman of substance, a strong woman like Megan. He was glad that she had been his mail-order bride.

That afternoon, the bell on the door rang while he and Charles were going over the ledger and updating his business plan.

“I’m sorry, Mr. King, I know it’s Saturday, but I really must speak with you. I’ve tried over the last few days, but you weren’t here.”

Dallas looked up and Mr. and Mrs. Tucker stood in the doorway. They were a young couple who had just moved to Whiskey River. “By all means, come in. I’m sorry I missed you before.” Dallas waved them in. “What can I do for you?”

Mr. Tucker held his hat in his hands, fiddling with it nervously as his wife looked on with wide eyes. “Well, we found a spread just outside of town and was wanting to know if your bank could hold the note on it.”

“I’ll go get some coffee and let you discuss business.” Charles headed toward the back, out of earshot.

Dallas motioned toward the seats in front of his desk. “Please, sit down and we’ll talk.”

Suddenly, the sound of horses’ hooves—a lot of them—riding into town resonated outside. Then there was men’s laughter and a commotion close by.

“I can’t afford a big down payment—” Mr. Tucker continued, his young wife nodding in agreement.

“Sir, let me stop you right there.” Dallas rose from his seat. Outside, some men were harassing a lady—Megan. “Sorry, but I’ll be right back. Please, stay inside.”

What was she doing here in town? So many emotions suddenly ran through Dallas’s mind. If something were to happen to her, he didn’t know what he would do. He couldn’tlose her. Not this way. An overwhelming need to protect her filled him as he marched purposefully toward the door.

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